EVERYONE A WINNER AT WIK'18: Book Launches!

Book launchers at SM'17!

One of my favorite jobs as PAL Coordinator is introducing the book launchers!

I love listening to each author or illustrator tell their story of publication. To hear how hard work paid off, how SCBWI helped make a dream come true, how the littlest seed of an idea can grow into a great, big book!

It's so exciting, not to mention, inspiring! So if you have a newly released book, I hope you'll take advantage of this opportunity to inspire us! It's free for attendees, but you do need to sign up by the deadline (30 days prior to the conference). Look for more information about book launches (and book sales) on the registration page under Optional Activities. And then join us for the exciting moment when you get to share your journey! (And don't forget--you also get to hold that Southern Breeze kite in your hand!)

P.S. This year, I won't be introducing the book launchers at wik'18 because now, I'm the Co-Assistant Regional Advisor. So say hello to your new PAL Coordinator, Heather L. Montgomery!

Hello Everyone!

I’m excited to serve the region as the PAL Coordinator. I’ll never have Cathy’s pizzaz, but I’ll do my

best. I’ll steer the ship, but I’ll need you – published and pre-published Breezers alike – to provide the breeze.

Your ideas on what works. Your suggestions on what doesn’t work. Your energy for new initiatives. That’s what will carry us all smoothly across the high seas of the kidlit industry. Looking forward to this grand new adventure!

Heather

EVERYBODY A WINNER AT WIK'18: Nature Nuts and Nonfiction!

Hey Breezers,

You have a passion to share with readers. Kids have endless curiosity. Put those two together and you have great nonfiction for kids, right?

If your attempts end up a little too encyclopedic, if you are forcing rhyme just to add something fun, if you struggle to cram 1,000 pages of notes into 32 sparse pages, you are not alone. 

Passing along your passion for nature or science through the written word is not simple. But we Breezers don’t give up easily. When our manuscript – which we were sure sung the praises of nature or clearly clarified a complex concept – doesn’t quite do our subject justice, we dig in and learn some more.

That’s what Jodi Wheeler-Toppen and I, Heather Montgomery, will be doing on a Sunday afternoon in March. Come join us for “Curiosity Meets the Printed Page,” one of the many intensives offered as a part of wik18.  

It will be an extravaganza of nonfiction fun! We’ll explore the terminology of the nonfiction world. What does that editor mean when she says she’s looking for “commercial” nonfiction? Why did a reviewer describe a particular book as “narrative”? What is trade versus the educational market?

Come discuss different structures in used in nonfiction to turn bits of trivia into timeless lessons.  Compare and contrast different texts. Examine structural frameworks which might fit your topic. 

What techniques turn dry data into an “Aha!”? To understand that, we must become students of nonfiction. We must learn to read like writers.

Join us for an afternoon of analyzing mentor texts, discovering ways to make tough topics

understandable, and – my favorite! – reveling in rowdy research.

We hope to see you there!

Heather L. Montgomery is passionate about the underappreciated creatures of the planet and loves to wade in – literally – to her research. Learn more about her 12 nonfiction titles at www.HeatherLMontgomery.com.

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! 

CLICK :::HERE:::TO REGISTER!

Don't Miss the Back To Nature Kidlit Retreat!

Craving your fall Southern Breeze writing fix?  We know you're used to coming to Alabama in the fall for WIK. But since WIK is happening March 2018, come join Heather Montgomery for her Back to Nature Kidlit Retreat, October 13-15 at Camp McDowell in northern Alabama. Don't wait until it is too late to register. Go to the Southern Breeze website now!
 

During this three-day working retreat, guided exercises will re-awaken your senses, nudge your characters into action, and illuminate imagery to enhance your voice.

Surrounded by other creative-types, then immersed in nature, you will connect with your craft. The schedule will include equal measures of structured instruction, time to write or illustrate, and small group sharing/critiquing.

Back to nature doesn’t mean roughing it. Lodging is in modern hotel-style rooms (minus the television and the telephone, each room has 2 double beds). Delicious meals will be served by the famous McDowell kitchen staff. Wi-Fi and cell phone service are available on site but why not use this as an excuse to unplug!

Retreat leader is Heather L. Montgomery. She has published 12 nonfiction books for kids who are wild about animals. With a B.S. in biology and a M.S. in environmental education, Heather's award-winning educational programs include professional development workshops, seminars and retreats for writers, educators, and librarians. Heather’s subject matter ranges from snail tongues to snake poop. Her publishers include Scholastic, Capstone and Highlights.

We hope to see YOU there!

Come Soar at #SpringMingle with a Book Launch - #SBreeze17

Come Soar At SpringMingle with a LIVE Book Launch!

So you have a new book that's come out since our last conference? First of all, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! *throws confetti* That is an amazing thing that you've done! Really. Truly! Now what about getting it in front of people? Yikes! Does that sound intimidating? It doesn't have to be. At the Southern Breeze conferences we offer the opportunity to do a LIVE Book Launch. Yes, you read that right. A LIVE Book Launch!!!
So what does that mean? What do I do?
Well, let me tell you...
At our conferences we give new books (and their creators) center stage. You get three minutes to tell us about your book, why you wrote it, how SCBWI help you get to where you are, and anything else you can think of to help get the objective of your book across. We have had several people perform, talk, and teach at our book launches. Here are some of their tips to help you think of what to say, and even go outside of the box.

"Pick one fact or event in your book that will be the most interesting to OUR audience and start with that. With my book on snakes I started with the fact that kingsnakes eat other snakes. It hooked the audience enough that an editor in the crowd later asked me to submit to her even though she isn't into science at all."

- Heather Montgomery

www.HeatherLMontgomery.com

"Prepare a written script and practice, practice practice! Engage your audience with something fun from your book like singing or acting out a favorite scene."

 Delia Blackstone & Lucyann Wagner

The Groovy Grandmas

www.thegroovygrandmas.com

"Hours, months, years have passed and now it is time to . . . LAUNCH.
Cathy Hall says you only have three minutes. Seriously?! Yes. 1. Be yourself. You know your book. You are the only one who can pitch it. 2. Be creative~think, Lucyann Wagner and Delia Blackstone, co-authors of “Norah Bedorah and the Pink Doughnut with Sprinkles.” (Pink Tutu’s and big smiles!) Bring the book to life. 3. Science or non-fiction book; try doing an experiment from the book. (I love to see gooey-goo!) 4. If you choose to read an excerpt; be brief and be animated. 5. Relax. You are pitching to your friends. Writers love books; we will love you."

  - Amy McCoy Dees

www.amymccoydees.wordpress.com

"The biggest thing I can say to relax. The people you are telling your book to are your tribe. They are proud of you! They want you to succeed. So smile. Show off your book. Make a joke about where you live... You heard about my neighbors, right? And enjoy. This is your 15... errrrrr 3 minutes ;) in the spotlight!"

- Tracey M. Cox

www.traceymcox.com

"Follow the directions given for the book launches, especially that time allotment for your launch! And though it might make you crazy to get everything you want to say down to two or three minutes, it's actually a great exercise. It will help you figure out the most important thing you want to say about your book.  And that's something you'll appreciate for all those times outside a conference when you want to promote your book!"

- Cathy C. Hall

c-c-hall.com

"1.     Tell us WHAT the book is about and WHY we need to buy it.

Example: This is a hilarious adventure book about a young Marco Polo, and is a great choice for boys and girls, 9 – 14 years old.  The chapters are short and easy to read – perfect for reluctant readers.Or, “Looking for a YA romance that you’re not embarrassed for your teen to read? Then read this!”

Keep it simple and give us a reason to purchase. Don’t forget to bring a copy with you to share from the stage!

2.     Toot your own horn. I know it seems unseemly, but you owe it to yourself and your publisher to give your book it’s due.  Did you get a good review? Win an award? Sell it at auction? Share the accolades!

3.     Use your (and your books) strengths. Is your book about science? Tell us an interesting fact that makes us want to know more. Is it funny? Then make us laugh. If you’re funny, we’ll assume the book is too.

4.     Think creatively. Some authors in the past have dressed as their characters, passed out brownies made from bugs, and brought props to the stage.  If you have a fun marketing idea for your book, go for it!

5.     Practice. Three minutes will go by fast and you want to make sure you’ve used it wisely. Practice with a timer in front of the mirror. Say it to your family and friends. The more you practice, the more confident you’ll be when it is time to take the podium.

6.     Have fun! You did it - you published a book. Now go up there and enjoy!"

- Lisa Lewis Tyre

www.lisalewistyre.com

What I did to prepare?   Wrote a few lines of a short blurb about my book. Tried to make it fun, interesting, and yes a bit quirky. Going for humor is always good when presenting something.
Did I use props?   Nope. But I did ask questions. My books lend themselves to the sort of "Did you know" type of thing. I love to give people a tiny bit of trivia. Everyone loves that. That's why Jeopardy is so popular.
Most of all, HAVE FUN with it!! 

- Jen Swanson

www.JenniferSwansonBooks.com

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN! Click  :::HERE::: to log in and register.

~See you in March~

Author Meet & Greet for #SBreeze16

Author Meet & Greet for #SBreeze16

~OPEN TO THE PUBLIC~

The fun doesn't stop when the conference does.
A select group of authors will be at the Homewood Public Library Sunday, October 9, 2016 from 2 pm to 4 pm. This is your chance to meet the authors, buy their books, and have them autographed.

PARTICIPATING AUTHORS: 

Bruce Coville

Don Tate 

Heather L. Montgomery 

Jo S. Kittinger 

Jodi Wheeler-Toppen 

Delia Blackstone  

Lucyann Wagner 

Kami Kinard

 

Come out and have a great time. See you there!

A Nine Year Journey - Heather L. Montgomery

A Nine Year Journey

Nine years ago . . .

I didn’t know I had humor in me until I launched a book at Springmingle. A Southern Breezer came up to me afterwards and said, “Hey! You are funny!!!”

I didn’t know I had a unique voice until I attended an SCBWI international conference. A Regional Advisor said, “I love your voice!”

I didn’t know I could really be a writer until I entered a Southern Breeze contest. My manuscript took first place.

The things I didn’t know.

The things that Southern Breeze has taught me.

You see, nine years ago, I wrote one of my very first nonfiction manuscripts. Since then, I’ve published eleven nonfiction books for kids, but that manuscript – the one that was my passion – wasn’t one of them. I toted that manuscript in and out and in and out and in and out of every conference I went to. I had formal critiques, wrestled with it in intensives, attended the poetry workshop because of it, and subjected many of you, Southern Breezers, to early drafts in need of critique.

Now, people ask me how many times I revised it. I couldn’t tell you. It was nine years of work. I can tell you that I tried it as a rhyming book, an alphabet book, from a child’s point of view, from a bug’s point of view, a chapter book, a poetry book, and more. I have folders of “old drafts” and folders of “older drafts” within those. You writers and illustrators, you understand.

And then, it happened. All of the learning – all of the input that you gave – made it happen. I found the humor, I found the voice, I found the knowledge that I was the right person to write this book.

How Rude! Real Bugs Who Won’t Mind Their Manners has finally become a book. This fall, eight flimsy pieces of paper will carry my passion to a child somewhere in this country. Eight pieces of paper inked with my words, slathered with silly illustrations. Pieces of paper stretched across the nation like stairs to my career. Stairs held up by a Southern Breeze.

Thank you.

Head shot by Sonya Sones Leaning Forward

Bio

Heather L. Montgomery uses yuck appeal to engage young minds, inspire reluctant writers, and empower research bliss. Heather has published twelve nonfiction books for kids on topics ranging from snakes (Capstone) to scientific discoveries (Scholastic). She is the past ARA of Southern Breeze SCBWI.

Connect with Heather:

Website

Facebook

Twitter

"Something for Everyone!" Days of WIK15 - Heather Montgomery

"Something for Everyone!"
30 Days of WIK15 - Heather Montgomery

Heather Montgomery will host several workshops during WIK15:

• Breaking Barriers: New Nonfiction
  Outrageous illustrations, irreverent voices, marginalia – this isn’t your grandma’s fiction! The confining walls of humdrum nonfiction are being chipped away by one boundary-pushing book after another.  In this session, we will examine our own perceptions of what nonfiction content is and how, by pushing the walls out of our way, we can re-imagine where children’s nonfiction can go in the future. Throw off your blinders! You have the opportunity to forge a new path, to write the next break-out book, to set the new standards. Here is your chance to expand your ideas on voice, structure and format -- see where you go by breaking the barriers!
  You will learn: an outside-the-box approach to subject matter, an exercise to stretch your voice, and visual thinking tools.  
• School Visit Success!
   How can you captivate kids? Please the principal? And teach the teachers? School visits offer opportunities to promote your books, reach a broader audience and generate income. But, in order to be relevant in today’s educational climate, your programs must speak to all three audiences: students, teachers and administration. How can you do that?What steps do you need to take to plan your visit, prepare for your presentation, and execute with style? During this workshop, you will see a sample, discuss issues you have and begin to formulate a plan for your own visits.  You will learn: How to recruit school visits, dig into curriculum standards, and please all three audiences (students, educators, administrators).

  

ABOUT HEATHER MONTGOMERY:

Author Heather L. Montgomery uses yuck appeal to engage young minds, inspire reluctant writers, and empower research bliss. Thanks to all she has learned through Southern Breeze SCBWI, Heather has published twelve nonfiction books including WHY DO MY TEETH FALL OUT? (Capstone) and HOW RUDE! REAL BUGS WHO WON'T MIND THEIR MANNERS (Scholastic). Heather has a B.S. in Biology, a M.S. in Environmental Education, and awards for her educational programs. She resides on the Tennessee/Alabama border and is the former Assistant Regional Advisor for Southern Breeze. Learn more at www.HeatherLMontgomery.com.

LINKS:

Website

Twitter

Click here to REGISTER FOR WIK'15 now!